Chapter 408: Extreme Realm! Extreme Realm! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 408: Extreme Realm! Extreme Realm! (Please vote for the monthly ticket.)

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Bai Da Xian turned his head, a smile spreading across his handsome face.

In the midst of the arena, Xiao Jinghong was encircled by golden gun barrels, faintly glowing with a greenish-blue hue.

Like new shoots breaking through the earth, tender sprouts emerging from the soil.

A gradual infection by the golden gun barrels.

"Not bad."

"Having crossed this step, Xiao Jinghong will find his path smoother in the future."

He glanced at Chen Yuanji, his smile warm. "What do you think?"

Chen Yuanji's eyes, hidden behind the white tiger mask, flickered with satisfaction.

"Xiao family's maiden truly deserves Yi Er."

Upon hearing this, Bai Da Xian sighed slightly, "My Yi Er is a son-in-law."

Chen Yuanji paid no heed, his voice tinged with a faint smile, "A match is a match."

A marriage into the Xiao family, after all, was a union between the Chen and Xiao clans.

Ye Guxian listened to their words, his gaze never leaving Xiao Jinghong.

Extreme Realm, also known as the "Extreme Realm of the Way."

How to describe its power and might?

It can be summed up in three characters—Heaven and Earth are wide.

A sword, and the heavens and earth are wide.

A fist, and the heavens and earth are wide.

A gun, and the heavens and earth are wide...

To achieve the "Extreme Realm of the Way," the heavens and earth in your eyes are no longer the natural world, but your own heavens and earth.

You can command the five elements, enclose the four directions, change the heavens and earth, the lethal force of the sword, and all such feats are within its grasp.

Thus, to cultivate into the "Land Divine Immortal" realm, the "Extreme Realm of the Way" is the threshold.

The rest are mere water-worn techniques, refinements in cultivation, and subtle insights, each to be absorbed into one's being, achieving the "Palm-Sized" realm.

Chen Yi looked at Xiao Jinghong surrounded by the gun barrels, a faint smile touching his lips.

Today, Xiao Jinghong's breakthrough into the sword path's extreme realm was no small feat.

In the future, he would be able to explain it without facing a reprimand.

After all, one's words can be sharp.

Chen Yi mused on these thoughts, standing still in the arena, waiting for Xiao Jinghong to break through, while observing the subtle changes in the surrounding heavens and earth.

Not only was he viewing it through his own "Spirit" and "Way Realm" perspective, but he was also practicing the art of sensing qi, observing the environment.

As soon as he extended his awareness.

The first thing that came into his view was not Xiao Jinghong, but the imposing figure standing in the middle of this realm.

Towering above, overlooking this tiny martial arts arena.

It was Bai Da Xian's "Spirit."

Chen Yi glanced at it, noticing its gaze fixed on himself, then averted his eyes, turning his attention back to Xiao Jinghong.

"This must be... the extreme realm of the sword path..."

In his eyes, the qi surrounding Xiao Jinghong at that moment was gradually condensing, forming a verdant green longsword.

And that longsword was growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In just three breaths, the sword's qi had expanded beyond the confines of the martial arts arena.

Though still not as vast as Bai Da Xian's mighty "Spirit," it was already more than double the strength of Xiao Jinghong's previous state.

Besides that.

Chen Yi could also see Xiao Jinghong's "Spirit" merging with the longsword, deepening the green hue.

Chen Yi watched, his eyes filled with thought.

"'Spirit' as the foundation, the true meaning of sword path locking the heavens and earth... this is the secret of the extreme realm?"

"So, my gun path..."

Chen Yi slightly closed his eyes, his spirit sinking into the middle dantian, attempting to merge his "Spirit" with the heavens and earth, locking the realm's qi with the true meaning of gun path.

A stream of golden gun intent flowed through his body, intertwining with the heavens and earth, his "Spirit" merging with the realm's qi.

Locking the realm's qi, expanding his own body, expanding his "Spirit," thus expanding the gun path.

Of course, Chen Yi did not truly believe he could break through the extreme realm of gun path at that moment.

Yet, as his spirit and the true meaning of gun path merged with the heavens and earth, a voice echoed in his ear from within.

"When body and mind unite, mind and spirit unite, spirit and the Way unite, humanity and heaven merge, that is the Great Way of the universe..."

Ah, so it is so!

As Chen Yi comprehended this, the golden gun barrels around him suddenly surged upward.

The strength and magnitude of the qi were such that they again suppressed the sword path's qi, which had just expanded beyond double its previous strength.

Simultaneously, within this realm created by Bai Da Xian's spirit, a magnificent clash of golden armies erupted.

Ding-dong-dong...

The sound drew the onlookers' heads upward, all wondering what had transpired.

In their eyes.

Chen Yi's strike moments ago had severely wounded Xiao Jinghong.

To this day, Xiao Jinghong had not broken through Chen Yi's gun technique.

"What happened?"

"They were both still as statues, where did the sound of weapons clashing come from?"

"Could they be battling with their spirits?"

"Probably so..."

What the hell!

The expressions of the observers, including Shang Youjun and Mei Ruo, were filled with shock, nearly bursting into crude language.

"These two, these two... have both broken through their realms!"

Not only them.

All martial artists in the arena, of the third rank and above, whose techniques had reached the pinnacle, all sensed the change in this realm.

They were not fighting with their minds!

But in, in, in… breaking through the boundary!

Both of them were breaking through the boundary!

The assembled crowd fell silent, their expressions filled with inexplicable surprise. The entire martial arts arena was left with only the clash of swords and the ringing of steel.

After a long while.

The old beggar said, “The rising star of the martial world must really be about to knock us old-timers flat on the beach.”

The young swordsman looked at the two in the arena with envy etched across his features.

Though he could only see the intertwining, ascending sword and spear techniques, he clearly understood that those two had become beings beyond his reach.

A nobleman of noble birth smiled and shook his head: “We have not come here in vain.”

“Originally, I thought we might have the honor of paying respects to those two earthly immortals and see them compete in height and might—already a blessing, but to our further surprise, we have also been fortunate enough to witness two celestial talents rising.”

“Indeed.”

“Those who have reached the pinnacle of martial arts are rare; fewer still have been privileged to witness their breakthrough.”

“Praise be, praise be…”

“The Great Wei dynasty now has two new ‘earthly immortals’ as seeds…”

The scholar beside him, dressed in long robes, let out a gasp: “Have I heard correctly…?”

“In the tenth month of autumn, deep frost, the howls of tigers and lions rise.”

“Spears challenge the sun, moon, and stars, stirring the heavens.”

“Swords split the yin and yang, startling ghosts and demons.”

“Two masters clash, the winds of history shift, both breaking through to the extreme realm, tilting the heavens and earth.”

“Who in the martial world can follow them now? Only one who walks alone, towering over the vast world.”

Chen Yunfan listened, saw, and sighed, his earlier rising ambitions nearly wilted.

“Brother Chen, how can my brother pursue me now?”

Just recently, he had broken through the stage of complete sword technique, believing his gap with Chen Ye had narrowed.

Yet in such a short time, Chen Ye had again achieved a breakthrough, surpassing even the arduous path from complete to the extreme realm.

How could he not feel deflated?

Cui Qingwu, at a loss for how to console him, grasped his hand and drew near.

Even ordinary celestial talents pale in comparison.

As for geniuses like Chen Ye and Xiao Hongkui, how could these ordinary martial artists possibly catch up? Near the edge of the arena, Liu Lang clenched his knife hilt, desperate to charge in and feel the power of the extreme realm.

His knife technique was on the verge of breakthrough—if only he could spar with a master who had reached the extreme realms of spear or sword, he might gain some insight.

Yuan Niuer, though not fully informed, sensed the commotion and knew the masters’ strength had grown, and smiled as well.

Yet the most elated of all was Xiao Laotai.

Regardless of Xiao Hongkui or Chen Ye, both were deeply connected to the Xiao family.

Their breakthroughs to the extreme realm meant the Xiao family had gained two new talismans for protection.

Should anyone seek trouble with the Xiao family in the future, they would have to weigh the matter carefully.

Zhang Xuan grew ever more envious, his eyes turning red with longing.

He clasped Xiao Laotai’s arm: “Old master, I care not. Should trouble ever befall my Zhang family, your Xiao family must not stand idly by!”

Xiao Laotai laughed heartily: “Well said, well said…”

The crowd’s clamor rose and fell in succession, joy and sorrow among the various families.

Yet the three seated at the forefront remained silent.

Bai Da gazed at Chen Ye, who had entered a state of enlightenment, and fell into silence as well.

Xiao Hongkui had achieved the extreme realm breakthrough through a desperate counterattack in the face of death—yet here, at Chen Ye’s side…

“His martial arts talent surpasses even what I had anticipated…”

“Sudden enlightenment, sudden breakthrough, sudden enlightenment… No wonder he carries so many paths, all accomplished.”

Ye Ge, hearing his voice, revealed a rare smile: “Geniuses of this sort… are beyond our understanding.”

Bai Da hesitated, glanced at him sideways, and asked in a strange tone: “Are you not like me?”

“Slightly less than Chen Ye.”

“What need have you to compare?

Bai Da pushed Ye Ge aside, then turned to Chen Xuanji, his voice oddly asking: “What of you?”

Chen Xuanji shook his head: “It is the way of the times that creates heroes.”

“As you said just now, it is all the way of heaven.”

Bai Da sneered: “Now you believe in destiny.”

Chen Xuanji shook his head again, smiling: “It is not that I believe in destiny, but that this time, destiny is on my side.”

Both Chen Ye and Xiao Hongkui had achieved breakthroughs, making the Cui family’s ambitions increasingly difficult.

Xiao Hongkui, at least, had the Xiao family and the Dingyuan Army as constraints, and might still have room for maneuver.

But Chen Ye…

By Chen Xuanji’s recent observations, Chen Ye was resolute in his nature—once he made a decision, he would see it through to the end.

Moreover, he carried the “Chess Path” within him, unlikely to be subdued by the Cui family of Qinghe.

Thus, the game in Shu Zhou now had a “great son” capable of tipping the balance of heaven and earth.

Chen Xuanji was pleased to see this.

Bai Da seemed to have guessed his thoughts, hummed twice, and then smiled as well.

“In the end, it is a matter of good fortune.”

“Regardless of the outcome two years hence, this land will always have someone to shelter and protect.”

Bai Da said, his expression half-smiling, half-serious, toward Chen Xuanji: “In the hidden immortal conflict two years hence, will you go?”

The mask of Chen Xuanji’s face melted away, his eyes showing no trace of movement, as if he had not heard.

“…”

Bai Da’s eyebrows twitched, nearly forcing a punch from his fist.

This man’s temper was even more unruly than Chen Ye’s.

It was around this moment, perhaps a minute or so had passed.

Xiao Hongkui had just regained consciousness.

She opened her eyes and found the world around her had changed in color—lush and full of lethal force.

After breaking through to the extreme realm, the surrounding heavens and earth felt like extensions of her own limbs; a single thought could stir the cosmos.

Her sword path had reached the point where ascending to the pinnacle was now possible.

Yet Xiao Jinghong had barely two breaths of pleasure when he spotted Chen Yi, and in his eyes flashed a moment of confusion.

"Him... he... has he broken through?"

In Xiao Jinghong's gaze, Chen Yi remained that familiar figure, yet behind him stood another magnificent silhouette.

—Its features indistinct, clad in a robe of five-colored brocade, seated cross-legged behind Chen Yi, hands clasped as though a celestial being.

Not only that.

The mighty presence emanating from that towering figure surpassed her own by a slight margin, towering higher.

When Xiao Jinghong thought of this, the joy born from his own breakthrough began to fade somewhat.

She understood clearly.

Previously she had not been Chen Yi's equal, and now that both had broken through, she was certainly no longer his match.

Though they had both just transcended the ultimate realm of martial arts, the one stronger in spirit, the one stronger in dao intention.

Her current sword path's true essence indeed fell short of the person before her.

Xiao Jinghong gazed upon that figure wrapped in golden spear light, let out a soft sigh, and steadied her long sword, waiting quietly for the opponent's breakthrough.

Another minute passed.

Before Chen Yi's eyes, a golden character appeared:

[Spear technique refined, "Fallen Dragon Spear" breaks through to "skill near dao", glimpsing the essence of spear's ultimate realm.]

[Spear technique: Complete, realm advancement +10000, reaching the ultimate realm.]

Chen Yi's spirit stirred slightly, and with a slow blink, his eyes opened. The golden spear light surrounding him surged, transforming into a spear carved with golden runes—a dragon spear.

Ka!

Like a crystal shattering, that dragon spear shot straight up, its spear tip piercing through heaven and earth.

The seven-colored clouds and mists were pierced by this spear, dark clouds drifting in, and suddenly lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

Boom!

Boom-boom!

As the thunderclap fell, Chen Yi was enveloped by the dragon spear, his breath soaring upward, sending ripples through the realm where the West Dadian had declared "let's swap the heavens and earth."

The martial arts arena swayed slightly, causing the spectators to stir with alarm.

"Why does the 'dragon and tiger' duo's breakthrough after surpassing make such a commotion, more imposing than General Xiao?"

"Strength endures, their 'dragon and tiger' foundation runs deep."

"Indeed, if he hadn't broken through, General Xiao would have won with his ultimate sword path, but now..."

"The outcome is already decided."

Those noble sons and daughters of major families, along with the various martial artists, all sighed in admiration.

They sought martial arts supremacy, yet now two new peers had emerged at the ultimate realm.

Especially those like Chen Zhaohe and Zhao Xihe, were truly struck.

Gu Hanpin closed his fan, "We've taken the lead for now; perhaps there will be a chance to settle scores in the future."

"Hope so..."

Chen Yi paid no heed to the chaotic sounds around him. With a thought, he gathered all surrounding spiritual energy into his body.

Instantly, a golden dragon spear manifested at his mind palace, circling around four living, active divine statues.

Joyful, agile, with divine intention shifting.

After contemplating for a moment, Chen Yi's subtle energy began to settle, and the mysterious energy cloaking him became even more obscure.

Harder to perceive.

Then he turned his gaze to Xiao Jinghong, smiling gently, bowing: "Congratulations, General Xiao, on breaking through the ultimate realm."

Xiao Jinghong calmly gazed back, "Continue."

Chen Yi paused, surprised: "General Xiao...?"

Xiao Jinghong raised his long sword, "We've both broken through, so let's continue to test each other."

Chen Yi understood, and secretly shook his head, tightening his grip on his long spear.

"Since General Xiao is eager, I shall play along."

No sooner spoken than Chen Yi took a light step forward, thrusting his spear ahead.

A golden spear light transformed into a dragon shape, whistling out.

Meanwhile, in the clouds above, a thunder dragon descended, striking first and arriving last, straight toward Xiao Jinghong.

In contrast, Xiao Jinghong remained still, his single hand drawing a circle with his sword, a faint cyan mist forming around him.

Even as Chen Yi's dragon spear boomed, it could not break through the ethereal barrier before him.

Chen Yi raised an eyeb, understanding fully, and suddenly lifted his hands, the golden dragon-shaped spear light soaring into the sky, illuminating the entire martial arts arena.

—Fallen Dragon Spear, Illuminating the Blue Mountain!

"General Xiao, be careful!"

(Chapter Complete)